MacBook Air M5 vs Dell XPS 13 (2026)
The 2026 XPS 13 starts at $699.99 and weighs just 2.2 lb. The MacBook Air M5 costs $1,299 but lasts much longer on battery and keeps Thunderbolt and a headphone jack.
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Quick answer
Choose Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) ($1,299) if you want all-day battery life, you need Thunderbolt or a headphone jack, you use an iPhone or you want a silent laptop. Choose Dell XPS 13 (2026) ($699.99) if you need Windows, you want the lightest laptop, you want a touchscreen and 120Hz or your budget is under $1,000.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) price (opens in a new tab)Check Dell XPS 13 (2026) price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Dell XPS 13 (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1,299 (16GB / 512GB) | $699.99 (8GB/256GB), $799.99 (8GB/512GB), $999.99 (16GB/512GB) |
| Chip | Apple M5 | Intel Core 5 320 “Wildcat Lake” (6 cores), Intel Graphics |
| Display | 13.6-inch 2560×1664, 500 nits | 13.4-inch 2560×1600, 30–120Hz touch LCD, 500 nits, anti-glare |
| Battery | 53.8Wh; up to 18 hr video, 15 hr web (Apple) | 52Wh; about 7 hr mixed, up to 10 hr light use (The Verge) |
| Ports | 2× Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack | 2× USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps); no headphone jack |
Comparing within Apple’s lineup? See MacBook Air M5 vs MacBook Pro M5.
Pick the MacBook Air M5 for battery life (Apple rates it for up to 18 hours of video), fanless performance, Thunderbolt 4 ports and 16GB of memory as standard. Pick the Dell XPS 13 if you need Windows, want a lighter 2.2 lb laptop with a 120Hz touchscreen, or have a smaller budget: it starts at $699.99, and The Verge[2] recommends the $999.99 16GB model.
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Dell XPS 13 (2026): side-by-side
| MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Dell XPS 13 (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1,299 (16GB / 512GB) | $699.99 (8GB/256GB), $799.99 (8GB/512GB), $999.99 (16GB/512GB) |
| Chip | Apple M5 | Intel Core 5 320 “Wildcat Lake” (6 cores), Intel Graphics |
| Display | 13.6-inch 2560×1664, 500 nits | 13.4-inch 2560×1600, 30–120Hz touch LCD, 500 nits, anti-glare |
| Battery | 53.8Wh; up to 18 hr video, 15 hr web (Apple) | 52Wh; about 7 hr mixed, up to 10 hr light use (The Verge) |
| Ports | 2× Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack | 2× USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps); no headphone jack |
| External displays | Up to 2 | See Dell spec sheet |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage | 1080p with IR (Windows Hello) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Weight | 2.7 lb (1.23 kg) | 2.2 lb (1 kg), 0.5 in thick |
| Cooling | Fanless | Fan; The Verge says it gets warm on a lap |
What are the pros and cons?
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5): pros
- Much longer rated battery life
- 16GB memory standard
- Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe and a headphone jack
- Silent fanless design
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5): cons
- $1,299 starting price
- Heavier than the XPS 13
- No touchscreen; 60Hz display
Dell XPS 13 (2026): pros
- Starts at $699.99
- Very light at 2.2 lb
- 120Hz touchscreen
- Windows Hello IR camera
Dell XPS 13 (2026): cons
- 8GB base models are tight; The Verge recommends 16GB
- Shorter battery life
- No headphone jack or Thunderbolt
- Gets warm on a lap
Which should you choose: Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) or Dell XPS 13 (2026)?
If you’re open to macOS, the MacBook Air M5 is the better all-round laptop, mainly for battery life and ports. The XPS 13 is the better choice for Windows users who prize low weight and a 120Hz touchscreen; get the 16GB model. For other budgets, see best laptops under $700 and MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13.
Choose Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) if…
- You want all-day battery life
- You need Thunderbolt or a headphone jack
- You use an iPhone
- You want a silent laptop
Choose Dell XPS 13 (2026) if…
- You need Windows
- You want the lightest laptop
- You want a touchscreen and 120Hz
- Your budget is under $1,000
Performance
The XPS 13 uses Intel’s six-core Core 5 320 “Wildcat Lake” chip, which The Verge[2] found fine for everyday work. The M5 is a much stronger chip for photo and video editing. If editing is your main job, see best laptops for video editing.
Ports and docks
Both have only two USB-C ports, so many owners add a hub. See best USB-C hubs for MacBook and best portable monitors for a second screen on the go.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MacBook Air M5 better than the Dell XPS 13?
Is 8GB enough on the XPS 13?
Does the Dell XPS 13 have a headphone jack?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Apple: MacBook Air tech specs (apple.com)
- The Verge: Dell XPS 13 (2026) review (theverge.com)
- Dell: XPS 13 (dell.com)
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